Project Review Session

$250.00

A focused one-hour online session for homeowners who are considering a renovation, addition, new home or small building project and want a clearer understanding of likely project costs before committing to a larger design process.

This session is designed to help you step back from the initial idea and look at the project as a whole: what you want to achieve, what may be realistic, where the likely cost pressures sit, and what information is still needed before the project can be properly costed.

This is not a builder’s quote or a fixed construction estimate. It is an early architectural budget review intended to give you a clearer framework for planning.

01 Project overview

We will discuss the broad ambition for the project, including the type of work being considered, your reasons for undertaking it, and the main problems you are trying to solve.

02 Site and existing house review

We will review the key known conditions of the site or existing building, including orientation, access, slope, exposure, existing structure, services, neighbouring properties and any obvious constraints that may influence cost or complexity.

03 Accommodation brief overview

We will talk through the spaces you think you need, including bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas, workspaces, storage, outdoor areas and any specific family or lifestyle requirements.

04 Scope and priority review

We will separate the essential project needs from the desirable additions. This helps identify where the budget should be focused and where scope may need to be reduced, staged or simplified.

05 Approval pathway discussion

We will provide a high-level discussion of the likely approval pathway, such as DA, CDC or other relevant approval processes, noting that further review may be required before this can be confirmed.

06 Total project budget overview

We will discuss the difference between construction cost and total project cost, including building works, professional fees, consultants, approvals, certification, contingency, landscaping and client-supplied items.

07 Broad percentage-based budget breakdown

Following the discussion, we will prepare a broad percentage-based budget breakdown to help you understand how your total project budget may need to be allocated across the project.

08 Cost pressure points

We will identify the areas most likely to affect cost, such as site complexity, structural changes, wet areas, windows, excavation, access, services, level of finish, consultant requirements and approval risk.

09 Recommended next steps

We will outline the next sensible steps, including what information should be gathered, whether further feasibility work is required, and when professional costing advice from a builder or quantity surveyor may be appropriate.

What you will receive

After the session, you will receive a short written summary including:

  • a broad project overview

  • key site or existing house observations

  • accommodation brief notes

  • likely cost pressure points

  • broad total project budget breakdown

  • recommended next steps

This session is best suited to clients at the very beginning of a project who want clear, practical advice before moving too far down one path.

A focused one-hour online session for homeowners who are considering a renovation, addition, new home or small building project and want a clearer understanding of likely project costs before committing to a larger design process.

This session is designed to help you step back from the initial idea and look at the project as a whole: what you want to achieve, what may be realistic, where the likely cost pressures sit, and what information is still needed before the project can be properly costed.

This is not a builder’s quote or a fixed construction estimate. It is an early architectural budget review intended to give you a clearer framework for planning.

01 Project overview

We will discuss the broad ambition for the project, including the type of work being considered, your reasons for undertaking it, and the main problems you are trying to solve.

02 Site and existing house review

We will review the key known conditions of the site or existing building, including orientation, access, slope, exposure, existing structure, services, neighbouring properties and any obvious constraints that may influence cost or complexity.

03 Accommodation brief overview

We will talk through the spaces you think you need, including bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas, workspaces, storage, outdoor areas and any specific family or lifestyle requirements.

04 Scope and priority review

We will separate the essential project needs from the desirable additions. This helps identify where the budget should be focused and where scope may need to be reduced, staged or simplified.

05 Approval pathway discussion

We will provide a high-level discussion of the likely approval pathway, such as DA, CDC or other relevant approval processes, noting that further review may be required before this can be confirmed.

06 Total project budget overview

We will discuss the difference between construction cost and total project cost, including building works, professional fees, consultants, approvals, certification, contingency, landscaping and client-supplied items.

07 Broad percentage-based budget breakdown

Following the discussion, we will prepare a broad percentage-based budget breakdown to help you understand how your total project budget may need to be allocated across the project.

08 Cost pressure points

We will identify the areas most likely to affect cost, such as site complexity, structural changes, wet areas, windows, excavation, access, services, level of finish, consultant requirements and approval risk.

09 Recommended next steps

We will outline the next sensible steps, including what information should be gathered, whether further feasibility work is required, and when professional costing advice from a builder or quantity surveyor may be appropriate.

What you will receive

After the session, you will receive a short written summary including:

  • a broad project overview

  • key site or existing house observations

  • accommodation brief notes

  • likely cost pressure points

  • broad total project budget breakdown

  • recommended next steps

This session is best suited to clients at the very beginning of a project who want clear, practical advice before moving too far down one path.